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| Victimisation concerns at prison | Victimisation concerns at prison |
| (7 days later) | |
| Concerns over attitudes of staff at a south London jail towards inmates have been raised by the prison watchdog. | Concerns over attitudes of staff at a south London jail towards inmates have been raised by the prison watchdog. |
| Almost twice the average number of inmates had complained of victimisation at Wandsworth prison, a report showed. | Almost twice the average number of inmates had complained of victimisation at Wandsworth prison, a report showed. |
| Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers said inspectors witnessed "poor" and "abusive" behaviour by staff towards inmates during a visit in July. | Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers said inspectors witnessed "poor" and "abusive" behaviour by staff towards inmates during a visit in July. |
| The Prison Service said the prison faced "substantial" challenges but was confident it would continue to improve. | The Prison Service said the prison faced "substantial" challenges but was confident it would continue to improve. |
| Hit and kicked | Hit and kicked |
| The report made 160 recommendations for improvement at the category B prison which houses 1,456 inmates. | The report made 160 recommendations for improvement at the category B prison which houses 1,456 inmates. |
| It found that almost half of all of those interviewed said they had been victimised by staff, compared with the national average of 24%. | It found that almost half of all of those interviewed said they had been victimised by staff, compared with the national average of 24%. |
| And 12% said they had been hit, kicked or assaulted by staff, which is three times the national average. | And 12% said they had been hit, kicked or assaulted by staff, which is three times the national average. |
| The most significant barriers to change are the constant and increasing population pressure, and the approach and attitude of some staff. Anne Owers, Chief Inspector of Prisons | The most significant barriers to change are the constant and increasing population pressure, and the approach and attitude of some staff. Anne Owers, Chief Inspector of Prisons |
| Black and Asian prisoners were found to be more likely to report staff victimisation but few of those complaints resulted in action by senior management. | Black and Asian prisoners were found to be more likely to report staff victimisation but few of those complaints resulted in action by senior management. |
| Ms Owers said: "This is an inspection of an improving prison but one which has a significant way to go before it is a good and well-performing prison. | Ms Owers said: "This is an inspection of an improving prison but one which has a significant way to go before it is a good and well-performing prison. |
| "The most significant barriers to change are the constant and increasing population pressure, and the approach and attitude of some staff." | "The most significant barriers to change are the constant and increasing population pressure, and the approach and attitude of some staff." |
| Appropriate behaviour | Appropriate behaviour |
| But she added that the progress made in some areas of the prison showed what can and needs to be achieved. | But she added that the progress made in some areas of the prison showed what can and needs to be achieved. |
| Cleanliness, hygiene and food had got better, prisoners had more time out of their cells and first night and induction arrangements had improved, the report said. | Cleanliness, hygiene and food had got better, prisoners had more time out of their cells and first night and induction arrangements had improved, the report said. |
| Prison Service director general Phil Wheatley said: "The governor and management are continuing to ensure that staff behave appropriately at all times. | Prison Service director general Phil Wheatley said: "The governor and management are continuing to ensure that staff behave appropriately at all times. |
| "A robust approach is being taken with those who fail to maintain high standards," he added.. | "A robust approach is being taken with those who fail to maintain high standards," he added.. |